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The Amazing Race for Courage raises more than $10,000 for the DCAC

Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota held The Amazing Race for Courage Saturday, Aug. 25. The event raised $10,400 for the Sanford Health Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center. This video gives a glimpse of the fun had by all that day.

Understanding the devastation of child abuse, Project Night-Light has partnered with the DCAC to provide care packages for children seen by the center.

“We just want to love these little people in their time of need,” said Pebbles Thompson, Project Night-Light founder. Each care package includes a blanket, pajamas, socks, underwear, a book, toothbrush, flashlight, water bottle, shampoo and a fruit snack to comfort and provide for a child helped by the DCAC. Nearly 200 care packages have been donated to the DCAC to date.

According to Paula Condol, DCAC director, more donations are needed. Cash donations are appreciated as they allow the staff to purchase the items in greatest need. For more information, contact the Sanford Health Foundation at (701) 323-8450.

Ways to help

Children’s treasure chest, a part of the Sanford Health Dakota Children’s
Advocacy Center (DCAC), provides children and their families who have been traumatized small things that can help make a stressful situation easier for them. The shelves of the treasure chest hold a small bright spot and sense of caring in a situation that can be confusing and sometimes scary. A child may find comfort in the warmth of a blanket or a hug from a soft, stuffed animal. Children can express their stories through art and written means. And for families that drive long distances to the DCAC and spend most of the day with us, meal gift cards and snacks are greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in adding items to the treasure chest, click here to see the wish list.

To make a donation, please call (701) 323-5626. Or, you may drop donations at the DCAC,
200 E. Main Ave. #301.

Keeping children with disabilities safeCaring for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder or other special need

If you care for a child who is prone to wandering off from a safe environment and whose diagnosis may interfere with their ability to recognize danger and stay safe, you need to be aware of these important facts:

Nearly 50 percent of children with autism engage in wandering behavior

Wandering occurs across all settings, under every type of adult supervision

Increased risks are associated with autism severity

Fifty percent of families report they have never received advice or guidance about wandering from a professional

Accidental drowning accounts for approximately 90 percent of lethal outcomes

How can you improve the response if your child wanders and goes missing?

The Bismarck Police Department and the Sanford Health Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center have teamed up to develop a plan to improve outcomes of missing children with special needs in the Bismarck/Burleigh County area. This plan includes:

Prior to the time of crisis: Gathering information from parents of children with special needs regarding the unique needs of their child and sharing the information gathered with law enforcement and the 911 dispatch system.

At the time of crisis: Use the information gathered prior to the event to better implement a timely response and return the child home safely.

How does a parent sign a child up for this service?

If your child resides in the Bismarck/Burleigh area, the first step is to fill out the authorization form and questionnaire. Then send the information to the Bismarck Police Department.